Six Nations: Ireland 42 - 10 Italy: Convincing win for Irish

KEITH Earls is determined to prove he is worthy of becoming Brian O’Driscoll’s successor as Ireland’s outside centre.Earls ran in the opening try in the 42-10 rout of Italy as part of a bright display that mixed flourishes in attack with moments of defensive steel.

The 24-year-old is viewed by the Irish management as the player to fill the void when O’Driscoll, who will miss the whole championship following shoulder surgery, eventually retires. Intent on stepping into some of the biggest boots in world rugby, he will continue in the No 13 jersey for the remaining three matches of the Six Nations.

During that time he wants to demonstrate that the defensive frailties exposed by Wales in last autumn’s World Cup quarter-finals were just an aberration. “I made a couple of mistakes in that match,” said the Munster back, who missed the Six Nations opener against the same opponents because his daughter, born last month, was ill.

“No excuses, but I should have gone off that time when I got hit by [Wales centre] Jamie Roberts. It would have been easier for me to go off but I wanted to stay on and help the lads and I made a couple of silly decisions in defence. That happens in rugby.

“Because of that I want to get out there and prove everyone wrong and show everyone I’m capable of taking over from Brian and that 13 is my position. I felt good in my defence against Italy and it’s something I have been working on since I got back from the World Cup.

“I know my attack is there, so in training I’ve been using Donnacha Ryan as a battering ram to give me practice in defence.”

Ireland’s top try-scorer at the World Cup has played most of his Test rugby on the wing, but dismissed any suggestion that by moving to the midfield he is operating out of position.

“I’ve been playing centre all my life, though I’ve also played at wing and full-back which has made me more versatile,” he said.

“I spoke to (Munster coach) Tony McGahan when I came back from the World Cup and said that I wanted to be a 13, I feel more comfortable there.

“Tony was all for it, I just had to prove to him I deserved to be playing 13 and he gave me my chance. I have worked hard at training and thankfully he trusted me and it’s been good since.”

While Earls showed signs against Italy that he is capable of replacing O’Driscoll, far greater tests than the Azzurri midfield await.

First up are French pair Aurelien Rougerie and Wesley Fofana, who will provide a stiff examination of his partnership with Gordon D’Arcy in Paris next Sunday.

D’Arcy enjoyed one of his best games for Ireland for some time yesterday, while Rob Kearney, Paul O’Connell and Stephen Ferris were also magnificent.

But despite scoring five tries - Tommy Bowe crossed twice and Tom Court and Andrew Trimble also touched down - in demolishing a side that almost edged England a fortnight again, it was a far from perfect performance.